A torch is never truly passed—it’s taken. And in the world of women’s college basketball, Juju Watkins is making her move. The USC phenom isn’t just following in Caitlin Clark’s footsteps; she’s already outpacing her in some ways. But with every record shattered and every point scored, the conversation grows louder: Is this the next great rivalry in women’s basketball?

In a recent post on X by I Talk Hoops, the debate was reignited:

“BREAKING: JuJu Watkins has surpassed NCAA all-time leading scorer Caitlin Clark on the list of most points by a women’s college basketball player through their first two seasons.”

With 1,684 points after the Big Ten tournament title game, Watkins edged out Clark’s 1,662 points from her first two seasons at Iowa. This feat wasn’t exactly a shock—Watkins set the NCAA freshman scoring record last year with 920 points and has played 65 games compared to Clark’s 62 at the same point in their careers.

Even Clark, who became college basketball’s all-time leading scorer, took notice of Watkins’ rapid rise. After USC played at Iowa last month, where Clark’s jersey was retired, she acknowledged the young star:

“JuJu, you’re awesome,” Clark said. “It was fun to be here and watch you play.” But while the points tally favors Watkins for now, the discussion didn’t stop there.

Top Comment by Gene

It’s a shame these posters need to display their own biases. Making it appear as Juju is somehow the better...more

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Debate

It’s not Clark vs. Reese—It’s Caitlin vs. JuJu: Fans debate the next great WNBA rivalry

One Fan: “When Juju Can Score AND Assist at an Elite Level, Then We Can Talk”

Numbers don’t lie, but they also don’t tell the full story. Clark’s game wasn’t just about scoring—her ability to distribute the ball set her apart. By the end of her sophomore season, Clark had recorded 471 assists, while Watkins currently sits at 219. However, Watkins leads in another key category, racking up 457 rebounds compared to Clark’s 433.

These are two different players with overlapping strengths but distinct play styles. Clark, a generational passer and deep-range sniper, dominated with offensive versatility. Watkins, a relentless scorer and aggressive rebounder, brings an edge on both ends of the court

One fan pointed out an ongoing frustration: “This wasn’t blasted all over TV like when Caitlin did it. We can see who the media is behind and the narratives. But congrats to both women.”

The perception that Clark’s accomplishments received outsized media attention compared to Watkins is a point of contention. But Watkins isn’t exactly under-covered. She was featured on Sports Illustrated’s cover as the 2020 SportsKid of the Year and was the top-rated recruit of her class. In just two seasons at USC, she has secured NIL deals with Nike, Gatorade, AT&T, and others—opportunities that don’t just land in a player’s lap without significant media exposure.

Even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in: “When are we going to talk about her the same way we’re talking about Caitlin Clark?”

It’s a fair question, but perhaps one that will answer itself as Watkins continues to dominate.

One fan put it simply: “WNBA IS IN GOOD HANDS DAWG, JUJU and CC GONNA BE A GREAT RIVALRY FOR DECADES TO COME. MAGIC AND BIRD TYPE SHIII.”

And it’s not just fans who see it that way. Sports analyst Jason Whitlock had a bold prediction about what’s coming next:

“I keep saying that women’s basketball, the WNBA, it’s gonna be bigger than the NBA,” Whitlock said. “No different than how the U.S. women’s national soccer team is bigger than the men’s team. We’re about to see the transformation of basketball.”

Clark and Watkins are on a collision course. With Clark in the WNBA since 2024 and Watkins likely to follow soon after in 2027, the groundwork is being laid for a rivalry that could define the next decade of women’s basketball.

One fan noted: “She’s really good! Only seen highlights but impressive.”

Watkins has already broken several of Clark’s records, and if she stays at USC for four years, she could realistically take down the biggest one of them all. Caitlin Clark’s all-time NCAA scoring record of 3,951 points? Right now, Watkins has 1,655 points in just her second season, putting her on pace to challenge Clark’s historic mark. But Clark’s ability to maintain high-volume scoring deep into her college career set a high bar.

While the fans are busy comparing the two, one fan brought in Angel Reese to the conversation, “To me, Caitlin has the better overall game compared to Angel (Reese), though Angel is the better rebounder and has more of an appeal. However, Juju has a game similar to Caitlin’s—smooth and skilled—while also having that appeal. Best of both worlds!”

It’s true—comparing Clark to Angel Reese doesn’t make much sense since Reese is a dominant post player. But Clark and Watkins? They have similar scoring instincts, the ability to shoot from anywhere, and the flair that makes them must-watch players.Although there are a few differences in their game, such as Clark’s game being built on her deep shooting and passing, while Watkins’ strength lies in her physicality and scoring efficiency. A few key stats highlight the difference:

• Three-Point Shooting: Clark had 207 threes on 560 attempts (36%) in her second season. Watkins, while slightly behind, has 127 threes on 390 attempts (32.6%).
• Double-Doubles: Clark had 12 double-doubles by the end of her second season, while Watkins currently has 8.

So what’s the Verdict? Is this the next great rivalry?

It’s still early, but the pieces are falling into place for Clark vs. Watkins to be the defining rivalry of the WNBA’s next generation.

Right now, Clark is the biggest name in women’s basketball, but Watkins is on her heels, ready to take that spot. The question is—how long before she does?